Dispensing closure



Jan. 13, 1953 P. J. MURPHY 2,625,306

DISPENSING CLOSURE Filed Feb. 25, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 2; PETER 'JMUHPHYZ .30 I

a w v Jan. 13, 1953 P. J. MURPHY 2,625,305

DISPENSING CLOSURE Filed Feb. 25, 1950 2 SHEETS SHEET 2 m-la MW 175' TEE J. MUPPHl T Patented Jan. 13, 1953 DISPENSING CLOSURE Peteu James Murphy, Toledo Qhio, assignor to Owens-Illinois. Glass Company a corporation of Ohio ApplicatiomFebruaryZ'a, 1950; Serial- N0. 145,814v

,9 Claims. 11

This invention relates to dispensin closures for containers, such as v are. usually; provided for products. like spices, condiments; dentifrice. DQW: ders; cosmetic powders, medicinalpowders p is and tablets; The closure; as. hereinv described is adapted for use with. containers made of: l ss; tin, fiber and the like.

An objectiofmy inventiomisto provide a dis? pensing. closure which may be readily. and easily applied to and removed from a. container:.

Another objector: the invention. is l to. provide a dispensing closure which williproducean. efli cient original seal.

Another object of; the. invention. is toL provide a dispensing closure having; a portion, which is removable to uncoverropening-s fondispensing;-and which is easily replaceable to. reeestablish, an effective and efiicient seal.

Another object of the invention isato provide a dispensing closure havin a portion which is rotatable to uncover openings for dispensing and easilyrotatable to re-establish an effective. and eflicient seal;

Other objects of the-invention will 'appear-here.- inafter.

Basically; th dispensing closure, herein. described; comprises a cylindrical wall adapted to fit oven the neck of a container, a perforated transverse wall spaced intermediate the top and bottom of the cylindrical Wall, and: a cover piece in the form of an insert adaptedto fit. in the upper portion of thecylindrical wall and thereby coverand seal the perforations inthe transverse wall. This insert may beeasily displaced to uncover the perforations;

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is aplan view: of the closure.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational view; of the closure at the line 22 on Fig. 1.

Fig. 3is a sectional elevationalv-iew. attheline 3--3-'- on; Fig. 4.

Fig.- 4-is-an elevational'view showing the closure applied to the container.

Fig. 5- is-;a fragmentary sectional view of the closure at theline 5-5 on- Fig. 3; I

Fig. 6 is a plan-view ofthecover orsealing disk of; a modified form; of the closure.

Fig; 7" is aplan view oithe body portion which cooperates with the cover shown Fig.6;

Fig-.- 8 is a sectional elevational viewof the modifiedform of the closure shown in Figs. 6 and 7' with the cover in sealing position.

Fig. 9- is. a plan view of another modified form of the closure.

Fig. 10 isa sectional elevational view of the modified formshown in'Fig. 9:

Fig. 11 is a plan view-ofi another modifledform of; the-- closure with; the opening; entirely covered.

Fig,v 1123 isa planview of the closure in Fig. 11 with; the .oneningrpartially uncovered.

Fig. 113: is, an, elevational view of themodified fcrmishown inFig; 11; as appliedtothe container.

Fig. l.4 .is.a sectional; view at the line l4-.-l4 on.=Fig; 13.

Fig... .15; is; a. plan view of: another modified form of the closure. 1

Fig; 1-6 is a. partrsectionalelevational; viewof the modified form: of? closure Shown in, Fig. 15 and thecontainer to which it..is;applied.

As shown inx Fig. 1",, theiclosure l0 consists: of acoverl: l; and; abody portion; I 2 made of flexible thermoplastic. molding compound such. as; polyethylene, or other-material having similar, physical properties; Thezclpsure is.adapted to beused with. a container I42 as-..herei-nafter described.

The body: portion. I2" comprises: a. cylindrical wall l5:and-' a diaphragm lfispaced intermediate the top and bottom.- of the cylindrical" wall I5; The inner surface of; the. lower part H? of the cylindrical walk is: shaped to maintain sealing contact with thesidesealing surface l8 of" the container necle I3 (Fig. 3). includes a flat circular plate 22, a: rim [9 ofiset downwardly therefrom, and a vertical annular wall 2] at the periphery of thecircular plate, connecting the plate 22 to the rim N! (Fig. 2). The rim, I9'i sp0sitioned to make sealing contact with the, top, 20' of the container neck I3. The plate. 22' is formed with perforations 23 asshown in Eig s. 1" and}; The upper part 25 of the cylindrical; Wall I5 is formed' with an annular bead 24' on its inner surface.

The. periphery of the cover It is formed with a .v.er.,tical. surface 26 (Fig.5) anda bevelled surface 21, The maximumdiameter. of the bevelled surface 21. isgreater than the diameter of the vertical surface 26. thereby forming a projecting lip, 30. The innerportion of they cover is cut away leaving an. inner wall. 28 concentric with the,- bevelled surface 21.

Asshown in Big. 3, whenthe. cover is snapped into the, top -o f the;body portion. the inner Wall .8.: over the; vertical wall 2; and the bottom 29 of; the cover; seals tightly; against the top of theg circular: plate- 22. The projecting lip 30 s-na-pszinto position below the annular-bead 24 and insures the; maintenance; of the seal.

Th'e bodynportion isprovided with a. notch 31 adaptedto:receive:a portionof a Web 32 connecting: the cover I If and. body. portion l2, and with a notch 33 adapted to. receive atab 34:. on the cover li (Figs; 2 and-3).

It should be-noted that all: the'elements. ofr'the The diaphragm 1-6 closure are so designed that the entire closure may be molded in one piece.

After the closure has been molded, the closure may be shipped to the packer in the condition shown in Fig. 2 or the closure may be shipped with the cover snapped into position. The latter is preferable since less shipping space is required and since the chances of severing the web connecting the cover and body portion are diminished.

After the container has been filled and it is desired to seal the container, the closure is snapped onto the neck of the container as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Since a very good seal has been previously obtained between the cover and the body portion, a highly satisfactory package is obtained.

After the package reaches the consumer and it is desired to dispense some of the contents,

the consumer need only lift the cover by the tab 34, expose the circular plate 22, and dispense the amount desired. The cover H meanwhile remains-connected to the package by the web 32. After the desired amount has been dispensed, the

package may be rescaled by pushing the cover back into place. The reseal obtained will be equally as efficient as the original seal.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. In this form of the invention, the diaphragm 16 of the body portion (Fig. 2) has been modified and as shown in Fig. 8 as [6, comprises a fiat perforated disk entirely in one plane. The cover I I comprises a disk adapted to make sealing contact with the upper surface of the diaphragm I6. I l is formed in the same manner as that of the cover I i in the other form of my invention.

The web 32 and corresponding notch 3| (Fig. 2) have been omitted in the modified form (Fig. 8). two forms of the invention in that the cover ll snaps into position providing a sealing contact between the surfaces of the diaphragm I6 and the disk 35. A comparison of these two forms of my invention is most readily apparent by a study of Figs. 3 and 8.

. Another modified form of my invention is shown in Figs. 9 and 10. In this form, the cover 31 is provided with a corrugated lip 38 which overlies the upper part of the cylindrical wall.

This lip may be grasped at any point to lift the insert. This modified form operates in other respects in the same manner as the closure in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.

Another modified form of my invention is shown in Figs. 11, 1c, 13 and 14. In this form, the

cylindrical wall 40 is provided with a disk 4| intermediate the top and bottom. This disk has an opening 42 as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. The cover 43 is flat and adapted to fit into the upper part of the body in the same manner as in the other forms of my invention. The periphery of the insert 43 is formed with a projecting edge 49 which is adapted to snap below the annular bead 24 and maintain the insert in position. The cover is also formed with an elongated opening 44 which is preferably of the same size and shape as the opening 42 in the disk 4!. The upper surface of the cover 43 is flush with the top of the cylindrical wall and is provided with an elongated knob or handle 45 which may be dished (Fig. 13) and is easily grasped to rotate the insert and bring the openings into register when it is desired to dispense the contents of the container. The cover may be rotated to bring the openings par- The periphery of the cover The method of scaling is identical in these tially into register as shown in Fig. 12, or entirely into register. Due to the peculiar physical properties of polyethylene, a very effective seal is provided and at the same time, the cover is easily rotatable to uncover or cover the openings.

Another modified form of my invention is shown in Figs. 15 and 16. In this form of the invention, the cylindrical wall 40 and disk 41 are identical with those shown in Figs. 11, 12, 13, and 14. The cover 43' is formed with a projecting portion 46 extending over the top surface of the cylindrical wall and with corrugations 41. The cover is formed with a dispensing opening 48. When it is desired to dispense the contents, the cover may be grasped and rotated to bring the openings into register.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A dispensing closure made of flexible, resilient material and comprising a cylindrical wall, means forming a part of the lower portion of the cylindrical wall for effecting sealing contact with the side surface of the neck of a container, an integral thin transverse wall spaced intermediate the top and bottom of said cylindrical wall to make sealing contact with the upper surface of the container neck, said transverse wall being perforated, and a circular disk in frictional holding engagement with the cylindrical wall and held thereby in sealing contact with the upper surface of said transverse wall and readily separable from said walls by upward vertical movement out of sealing contact and away from the transverse wall and the cylindrical wall.

2. A dispensing closure made of flexible, resilient material and comprising a cylindrical wall, means forming a part of the lower portion of the cylindrical wall for effecting sealing contact with the outer surface of a container neck, an integral thin transverse wall spaced intermediate the top and bottom of said cylindrical wall to make sealing contact with the upper surface of the container neck, said transverse wall being perforated, a disk made of flexible, resilient material, means forming a part of said disk for effecting readily separable sealing contact with the upper surface of said transverse wall and the inside surface of the upper portion of said cylindrical wall, said disk being movable by upward vertical movement out of sealing contact and away from the transverse wall and the cylindrical wall.

3. The closure defined in claim 1, including means for grasping said disk to remove it from sealing contact and means whereby said disk remains attached to said cylindrical wall after its removal. I 4. A dispensing closure made of flexible material comprising a cylindrical wall, the inside surface of the lower portion of said cylindrical wall being shaped to effect sealing contact with the outer surface of a container neck, a rim spaced intermediate the top and bottom of said cylindrical wall to make sealing contact with the upper surface of the conta ner neck, a circular plate spaced intermediate the top and bottom of said cylindrical wall and in a different plane than said rim, said plate having a diameter less than the inner diameter of said cylindrical wall, a thin web at the periphery of said plate and connecting said plate to the rim, said plate being perforated, and a circular cover, means forming apart of said cover for effecting sealing contact with the upper surface of said plate and the inside surface of said cylindrical wall.

5 52 A dispensing closure madc;of=fiexible-z 1113;1- terial' comprisingialcylindricaliwall; means form.- ing a part of i the lower insideportion of :said 2 cy-.- lindricalwall; for. efiecting sealing contactwith the outersurface off a. container neck, a rim spaced intermediate the top and" bottom. of: said cylindrical: wall 2 to make sealing contact with the upperwsurface ofiacontainer neck, a thin W-all pro.- jecting upward; from. the inner circumferenc of said rim, a. perforated disk positionedover thetop f*said-: thin wall. and; having substantially the same diameteras. said: thin; wall, and: a. cover, means. forming a partof: said' cover for making sealingcontact: with. the uppersurface of said disk andathe inside surface of said'cylindrical wall;

6: A. dispensing closure made of; flexiblematerial comprising-a cylindrical. wall, means forming aipart of-fthe lowerportionlofsaid cylindrical wall for. efiecting sealing contact with the; outer surface of a container neck, a. rim. spacedintermediate the top and bottom of said cylindrical wall to makesealing contactwith the upper surface of the container, neck, a-circularplate-spaced above -said:rim' and .in aplane parallel'to the plane of "said .rim, said plate having'a diameter; less. than theinner diameter of said cylindrical wall, .a thin web entirely=around the peripheryrof. said plate and connecting said plate to therim, said plate being; perforated; a; disk having; a horizontal. portioninv sealing. contact with the upper surface of the plate,.an annular'beadformedonthe inner surface of: the upper portion of: saidcylindrical wall", said disk having. a projecting edge, about its,circumferencetoproyidealockingengagement with saidtbead when-the disk-isbrought intosealiing contactwith the plata.

7.,A dispensing closure made of' flexible ma-. terial comprising a cylindrical wall, means form,- ing-a part ,of the lower portion of said cylindrical wallforefiecting sealing contactxwith theouter surface: of a container neck, a: rim spaced in termediate the top and bottom of; said cylindrical wallto make sealing contact with: the upper. surface of the containernecka circular plate spaced intermediate the top and bottom. of. said cylindrical: wall andrin a difierent; plane than. said rim, saidplate havinga diameter less than the innerdiameter of said cylindricaliwall, a:thin-,w.eb entirely surrounding said plate.at,;its;periphery and; connecting said plate to therim, said plate being perforated, a coverhaving ahorizontal portion .to'make sealing contact with the upper; surface of the plate and adownwardly projecting ring to make sealing contact with the outer surface ofthecylindricalweb and an annular bead positioned on the inner surface of the upper portion of said cylindrical. wall, said cover having aproiecting edge about itsperiphery to; provide a locking engagement with said, bead when, the cover is brought into sealing contact with the plate.

8. The closure defined in claim '7, including means fongrasping said: cover to; remove it, from sealing contact and means, whereby said cover remains attached to said cylindrical wall after its; removal 9; The closure defined in; claim; 8, the means for grasping said cover comprising a tab at the periphery of said cover and in the plane of the topof said cover, said cylindrical wall having a portion of its upper wall cut away to: receive said tab when the cover is in sealing contact with the plate,

10. The; closure definedin-claim 9, said means whereby; said cover remains, attached to, the; cy-

6 lindrical; wall-i comprising;:. a.,'fiexiblev web con-. nected to the periphery:of-rsaidvcover: at? alpoint diametricallyopposeditosaid tab and. connected to they upperportion; 0f, said; cylindrical wall;

said: cylindricala Walli having a. portion cut'iaway to receive said: web when the coverv is. in sealing contact" withv said plate.-

ll. A. dispensing; closuremade of flexible, resilient material and: comprising: a cylindrical wall, means forming a part: of the lower-portion of said cylindrical wall. for effecting a.v sealing contact with the. outerr surface of a. container neck, an integral thintransverse wall spaced intermediate the topand bottom of said: cylindrical wall to make sealing cont'act: with the upper surface of the containerneck, said transverse wallbeingperforated, a disk of flexible, resilient material in sealing contact with: the upper surface ofsaid: transverse wall, said disk having aprojecting edge at the lower portion of its periphery, an annular bead on the inside surfaceof the upper portion'ofsaid' cylindrical wall; the-diameter of said wall at said beadbeing less thanthe diameterofsaid disk at the projecting edge such that the projectingedge snaps below saidannular. bead and provides a readily separable locking engagement when the disk is in sea-ling contact with. the plate and the disk may-be liftedout of contact with and free from thetransverse and cylindrical walls by upward vertical movement.

12. Theclosuredefined in claim 11' including means for grasping said disk to remove it from sealing contact and means wherebyv said disk remains attached to said cylindrical wall after its removal.-

13. The closure-defined in claim 12, the means for grasping-said disk comprising a tab at the outer extremityof said disk and in the plane of the'top ofsaid disk, said cylindrical wall having a-portionof: its upper wall cutaway to receive said tabwhen thedisk is in sealing contact with the plate-:

14; Theclosure defined in claim 13, said means whereby said" disk remains attached to said cylindrical wall comprising a, flexible web connected to the extremity of said disk at a point diametrically-opposed to -said tab and connected to the upper portion: of said cylindrical wall, said cylindrical wall having a portion cut away to receivesaid web when the disk is in sealing contact: with. said plate.

15'. The combination oft a container formed with a-neck and a. closure made of flexible, resilienti material; and" comprising. a vertical wall; mean for providing: a sealing contact between sa-i'dlvtertical wall andsaid' neck, an integral thin transverse wall'spaced intermediate the topand bottom of. said vertical, wall; means forming a part of said: transverse wall; for efiecting sealing contact:- with. thetop.surface of said neck, said transverse-Wall; being formed with a, dispensing aperture, a=..disk-in sealing contact with the upper surface oflsaid: transverse .wall, and inter-engaging means-formingapart of said disk 1 and cylindrical wallifor. ocking: said disk; whenin. sealing contact; said: diskbeing.- lif-tableout of; contact withzand free ;from,the;transverse and. cylindrical walls? byupward vertical, movement.

16, 'Ihe;combination; defined in claim 15, said means for locking said disk when in sealing contact comprising an annular bead. ositioned on the: inner surface: of the upper; portion of said cy indr cal wall; said disk havin a projectin e a 's tsne ipherg whichrsnaps below said: an.-

nular bead and locks said disk in sealing contact with the transverse wall.

17. A dispensing closure comprising a, cylindrical wall, a transverse partition intermediate the ends of said cylindrical wall, said partition having a dispensing opening, means forming a part of one end of the cylindrical wall for effecting readily separable connection between the same and a container, a closure member so con structed and arranged within the other end of said cylindrical wall to cover said dispensing opening and providing a readily separable sealing contact with the partition, said closure member being liftable out of contact and away from the cylindrical wall by an upward vertical movement, and means whereby the closure member may be moved to a position to uncover said opening.

18. A dispensing closure comprising a cylindrical wall, a transverse partition intermediate the ends of said cylindrical wall, said partition having a dispensing opening, means forming a part of one end of the cylindrical wall for effecting readily separable connection between the same and a container, a closure member within the other end of the said cylindrical wall and covering said dispensing opening and held in readily separable sealing contact with the partition, said closure member being liftable out of contact and away from the cylindrical wall by an upward vertical movement, and means for moving the closure to a position to uncover said opening, said closure member having an opening adapted for registration with the dispensing opening at times.

19. The combination of a container formed with a circular neck, and a closure comprising a cylindrical wall, the inner surface of the lower portion of said wall shaped to conform to the outer contour of the neck and make sealing contact therewith, an integral thin perforated transverse wall spaced intermediate the top and bottom of said cylindrical wall in sealing contact with the top surface of the container neck. a disk in sealing contact with the upper surface of said transverse wall, and means for releasably holding said disk in said sealing contact.

20. The combination of a container formed with a neck and a closure comprising a cylindrical wall, the lower part of said cylindrical wall being shaped to conform to the surface of the neck, a rim spaced intermediate the top and bottom of said cylindrical wall in sealing contact with the upper surface of the container neck, a circular plate spaced intermediate the top and bottom of said cylindrical wall and in a different plane than said rim, said plate having a diameter less than the inner diameter of said cylindrical wall, a thin Web entirely surrounding said plate at its periphery and connecting said plate to the annular disk, said plate being perforated, a cover having a horizontal portion to make sealing contact with the upper surface of the plate, and a downwardly projecting ring to make sealing contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical web, an annular bead positioned on the inner surface of the upper portion of said cylindrical wall, said cover having a projecting edge about its periphery to provide a locking engagement with said bead when the cover is brought into sealing contact with the plate.

21. A dispensing closure for containers, said closure consisting of flexible material and comprising a cylindrical wall, the lower portion of said wall having an inner sealing surface for sealing contact with the outer surface of a container neck; a diaphragm within said cylindrical wall and spaced intermediate the top and bottom of said wall, said diaphragm including a body portion in the form of a circular plate of smaller diameter thamthe interior surface of said wall, a rim stepped below said body and a web surrounding said plate at its periphery and uniting said plate with said rim, said plate being formed with a dispensing opening therethrough, a cover overlying and in sealing contact with the upper surface of said plate, said cover being formed with an annular rib on its lower surface and in sealing contact with the outer surface of the said web, an annular bead formed on the inner side of the upper portion of said cylindrical wall, said cover having a circumferential projecting edge portion at its periphery and positioned beneath and in looking engagement with the said head when the cover is in sealing contact with the said plate.

22. The combination defined in claim 15, said disk having an aperture and lying upon and movable about the axis of said transverse wall into and out of a position in which said apertures are in register, means attached to said disk to facilitate manual rotation of the disk relative to said transverse wall.

23. The combination defined in claim 22, said means to facilitate rotation of the disk comprising a vertical projection along a diameter of said disk.

24; The combination defined in claim 22, said means to facilitate rotation of the disk comprising a radial projection at the periphery of said disk overlying the adjacent end of the cylindrical wall.

25. The closure defined in claim 1, including means for grasping said disk to remove it from sealing contact.

26. The closure defined in claim 25, said means for grasping said disk comprising a tab at the periphery of said cover and in the plane of the top of said cover.

27. The closure defined in claim 11 including means for grasping said disk to remove it from sealing contact.

28. The closure defined in claim 27, said means for grasping said disk comprising a tab at the periphery of said cover and in the plane of the top of said cover.

29. The closure defined in claim 27, said means for grasping said disk comprising a radial projection at the periphery of said disk overlying the adjacent endof the cylindrical wall.

PETER JAIWES MURPHY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

